An Overview of Wetland Impacts and Mitigation in Northern Virginia

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Abstract

Review of the wetland permit program in northern Virginia provides insight into the process of achieving â no net lossâ of existing acreage and functions by the Virginia Water Protection Permit (VWPP) Program as administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This program was developed to protect wetlands and streams through permitting impacts and requiring compensation for those permitted impacts. An overview of wetland impacts and wetland mitigation as administered by DEQ Northern Virginia Regional Office (NVRO) provides a representative look at how wetland impacts and mitigation are handled in Virginia. Based upon the analysis of NVRO permitted wetland impacts and accepted compensation from 2000 to 2004, it appears NVRO is achieving the goal of â no net lossâ in terms of acreage. In terms of functions, the analysis indicates that â no net lossâ is potentially not being met. More research needs to be conducted to fully understand how to evaluate and quantify â no net lossâ of functions and how certain types of mitigation options affect adequate compensation for lost functions. Until a standard is accepted for quantifying the quality of wetlands, it will be difficult to assess and therefore determine if â no net lossâ of functions is being attained in Virginia.